Trapdoor spiders

Family Idiopidae

Identification

Males have very long thin legs and most species have a special C-shaped spine at the end of the tibia (a thick joint) on the first leg as well as having a swollen tibia of the pedipalp; both of these parts are very important during mating. The C-shaped spines lock the fangs of the female safely away during mating.

None of these spiders can climb smooth vertical surfaces. Most are medium-sized spiders with two small (spinnerets) seen at the end of or just under the body.

Diversity & distribution

Australia is the home of the Trapdoor spider family Idiopidae. We have more species and genera than any other country and often up to 6 species may occur together in one spot. The family occurs also in Africa, Madagascar, India, New Zealand and South America.

Burrow

The spiders build burrows up to 30-40cm deep in the ground and are more common on embankments. The burrow's entrance is often lined with silk-bound leaves. Some groups, e.g., Golden Trapdoor (Euoplos species) build thick plug doors, some with ornate finger-like extensions.